EFFECT OF BUCKWHEAT EXTRACT ON FREE-RADICAL GENERATION IN RABBITS ADMINISTERED HIGH-FAT DIET

In this study the effect of buckwheat extract (BE) on the level of mal ondialdehyde (MDA), lipids and hormones, and on the concentration of a scorbate free radicals in the liver (compared with rutin) in animals r eceiving a high-fat diet (HFD) was measured. Mate mongrel rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) animals given HFD containing cholesterol and coconut oil, (3) rabbits treated with HFD + BE, (4) HFD + rutin, over a period of 12 weeks. The concentration of MDA in rabbits of group 3 (HFD+BE) was slightly but significantly dec reased, whilst the number of ascorbate free radicals, examined in vitr o, in the liver was markedly elevated. The level of testosterone in ra bbit blood serum (group 3) was increased, but the insulin concentratio n was significantly diminished (in comparison with group 2). The conte nt of total cholesterol and triglyceride in the liver of animals maint ained on BE was decreased. Quite distinct superiority of BE, compared with rutin, was shown.